Salvia plant named ‘WNSVUPPK’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Salvia plant named ‘WNSVUPPK’, characterized by its upright to somewhat outwardly spreading plant habit; vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate; freely branching habit; dense and bushy plant form; strong and sturdy lateral branches; very dark green-colored leaves; early and freely flowering habit; upright inflorescences with purplish red-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

Botanical designation: Salvia hybrida.

Cultiovar denomination: ‘WNSVUPPK’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Salvia plant, botanically known as Salvia hybrida and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘WNSVUPPK’.

The new Salvia plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Bonsall, Calif. The objective of the breeding program is to create new compact and uniform Salvia plants with attractive leaves and flowers and good garden performance.

The new Salvia plant originated from a cross-pollination made by the Inventor on Aug. 24, 2016 of a proprietary selection of Salvia hybrida identified as code number 16SB131-01, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with Salvia hybrida ‘BBSAL00301’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,923, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Salvia plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in Bonsall, Calif. on Aug. 16, 2017.

Asexual reproduction of the new Salvia plant by vegetative terminal cuttings in Bonsall, Calif., since Aug.23, 2017 has shown that the unique features of this new Salvia plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Salvia have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘WNSVUPPK’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘WNSVUPPK’ as a new and distinct Salvia plant:

-   -   1. Upright to somewhat outwardly spreading plant habit.     -   2. Vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate.     -   3. Freely branching habit; dense and bushy plant form.     -   4. Strong and sturdy lateral branches.     -   5. Very dark green-colored leaves.     -   6. Early and freely flowering habit.     -   7. Upright inflorescences with purplish red-colored flowers.     -   8. Good garden performance.

Plants of the new Salvia can be compared to plants of the female parent selection. Plants of the new Salvia differ primarily from plants of the female parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Salvia are shorter than plants of the         female parent selection.     -   2. Plants of the new Salvia are more freely branching and denser         than plants of the female parent selection.     -   3. Plants of the new Salvia have stronger and sturdier lateral         branches than plants of the female parent selection.     -   4. Plants of the new Salvia are more tolerant to full sunlight         conditions than plants of the female parent selection.

Plants of the new Salvia can be compared to plants of the male parent, ‘BBSAL00301’. Plants of the new Salvia differ primarily from plants of ‘BBSAL00301’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Salvia are shorter than plants of         ‘BBSAL00301’.     -   2. Plants of the new Salvia are more tolerant to full sunlight         conditions than plants of ‘BBSAL00301’.

Plants of the new Salvia can be compared to plants of Salvia hybrida ‘Amistad’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,578. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Salvia differ from plants of ‘Amistad’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Salvia are shorter and more upright than         plants of ‘Amistad’.     -   2. Plants of the new Salvia are more freely branching and denser         than plants of ‘Amistad’.     -   3. Plants of the new Salvia have stronger and sturdier lateral         branches than plants of ‘Amistad’.     -   4. Leaves of plants of the new Salvia are broader and darker         green in color than leave of plants of ‘Amistad’.

Plants of the new Salvia can also be compared to plants of Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Salvia differ from plants of ‘Black and Blue’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Salvia are more compact than plants of         ‘Black and Blue’.     -   2. Plants of the new Salvia are more freely branching and denser         than plants of ‘Black and Blue’.     -   3. Plants of the new Salvia have stronger and sturdier lateral         branches than plants of ‘Black and Blue’.     -   4. Leaves of plants of the new Salvia are broader and darker         green in color than leaves of plants of ‘Black and Blue’.     -   5. Plants of the new Salvia flower earlier than plants of ‘Black         and Blue’.     -   6. Flowers of plants of the new Salvia are purplish red in color         whereas flowers of plants of ‘Black and Blue’ are blue in color.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Salvia plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Salvia plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘WNSVUPPK’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2) is a close-up view of a typical flowering plant of ‘WNSVUPPK’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations and measurements describe plants grown during the autumn and winter in 10.8-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Loudon, N.H. and under cultural practices typical of commercial Salvia production. During the production of the plants, average daily temperatures were 18° C. Plants were grown under long day/short night conditions and were pinched two weeks after planting. Plants were ten weeks from planting when the photographs and description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except were general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Measurements were taken on individual plants.

-   Botanical classification: Salvia hybrida ‘WNSVUPPK’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Salvia             hybrida identified as code number 16SB131-01, not patented.         -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Salvia hybrida ‘BBSAL00301’,             disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,923. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—By vegetative terminal cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About three days at ambient             temperatures about 17° C. to 29° C.         -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About five days at ambient             temperatures about 17° C. to 21° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant from unrooted cuttings,             summer.—About 14 days at ambient temperatures about 17° C.             to 29° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant from unrooted cuttings,             winter.—About 17 days at ambient temperatures about 17° C.             to 21° C.         -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fibrous; typically             white in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on             substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and             formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of             roots.         -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; medium density. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Herbaceous perennial typically grown             as a container and garden plant; upright to somewhat             outwardly spreading plant habit; uniform plant and flowering             habit; vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate.         -   Branching habit.—Freely basal branching with lateral             branches potentially developing at every node; bushy and             dense appearance.         -   Plant height, soil level to top of foliar plane.—About 20             cm.         -   Plant height, soil level to top of floral plane.—About 28             cm.         -   Plant width.—About 41 cm.         -   Lateral branch description.—Length: About 18 cm. Diameter:             About 5 mm to 6 mm. Internode length: About 3 cm. Strength:             Strong and sturdy. Aspect: Mostly upright to about 30° to             45° from vertical; curving upright. Texture and luster:             Densely pubescent, longitudinally ridged; matte. Color,             developing and developed: Close to 146A variably tinged with             close to 187A. -   Leaf description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, simple.         -   Length.—About 9 cm.         -   Width.—About 8 cm.         -   Shape.—Ovate.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Cordate.         -   Margin.—Crenate to serrate with shallow indentations.         -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous;             moderately glossy.         -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Smooth, glabrous;             slightly glossy.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate, reticulate.         -   Fragrance.—Pungent; not unpleasant.         -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: More green than             N189A. Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 147A.             Fully expanded leaves, upper surface: More green than N189A;             venation, close to 146A. Fully expanded leaves, lower             surface: Close to 147A; venation, close to 146B to 146C.         -   Petioles.—Length: About 5.1 cm. Diameter: About 4 mm.             Strength: Moderately strong; flexible. Texture and luster,             upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; moderately             glossy. Color, upper surface: Close to 146A. Color, lower             surface: Close to 146B to 146C. -   Flower description:     -   -   Flower arrangement and shape.—Single bilabiate flowers             arranged on terminal racemes; freely flowering habit with             about 25 to 30 flowers developing per inflorescence; flowers             face mostly outwardly.         -   Fragrance.—None detected.         -   Natural flowering season.—Early flowering habit, plants             begin flowering about six to seven weeks after planting;             plants flower from late spring until frost in New Hampshire.         -   Flower longevity.—Flowers last about four to five days on             the plant; flowers not persistent.         -   Flower buds.—Length: About 1.5 cm. Diameter: About 5 mm.             Shape: Obovate to clavate. Texture and luster: Slightly             pubescence; slightly glossy. Color: Close to 187A.         -   Inflorescence height.—About 10.5 cm.         -   Inflorescence diameter.—About 8.5 cm.         -   Flower height.—About 2 cm.         -   Flower diameter.—About 1 cm.         -   Flower length (depth).—About 4.75 cm.         -   Flower throat diameter.—About 4.5 mm.         -   Flower tube length.—About 2.5 cm.         -   Flower tube diameter, distally.—About 7.5 mm by 4 mm.         -   Flower tube diameter, proximally.—About 5 mm by 3 mm.         -   Petals.—Arrangement: Five petals with two upper petals fused             forming a galea and three lower petals fused forming a             broader lower protruding lip. Upper galea length: About             1.75 cm. Upper galea width: About 6 mm. Lower lip length:             About 1.1 cm. Lower lip width: About 1.1 cm. Shape: Upper             galea, hooded; lower lip, spatulate, revolute and incurved.             Upper galea apex: Bluntly acute. Lower lip apex: Tri-lobed.             Base: Fused. Margin: Entire; not undulate. Texture and             luster, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy.             Texture and luster, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous;             slightly to moderately glossy. Texture and luster, throat:             Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy. Texture and luster, tube:             Sparsely pubescent; slightly to moderately glossy. Color:             Galea, when opening and fully opened, upper surface: Close             to 72A; venation, close to 72A; color does not change with             subsequent development. Galea, when opening and fully             opened, lower surface: Close to 72A; venation, close to 72A;             color does not change with subsequent development. Lower             lip, when opening and fully opened, upper surface: Close to             72A; venation, close to 72A; color does not change with             subsequent development. Lower lip, when opening and fully             opened, lower surface: Close to 72A; venation, close to 72A;             color does not change with subsequent development. Throat:             Close to between 72A and 77A; venation, close to between 72A             and 77A. Tube: Close to between 72A and 77A; venation, close             to between 72A and 77A.         -   Calyx.—Arrangement: Three sepals fused to form a tubular             bilabiate calyx. Calyx length: About 1.6 cm. Calyx diameter:             About 7 mm by 4 mm. Sepal length: About 1.6 cm. Sepal width:             About 5 mm. Sepal shape: Lanceolate. Sepal apex: Acuminate.             Sepal margin: Entire. Sepal texture and luster, inner             surface: Smooth, glabrous; moderately glossy. Texture and             luster, outer surface: Slightly pubescent; slightly glossy.             Color: When developing and fully developed, inner surface:             Close to 187A; proximally, close to 148A to 148B. When             developing and fully developed, outer surface: Close to             187A.         -   Peduncles.—Length: About 8 cm. Diameter: About 2.5 mm.             Strength: Strong. Aspect: Mostly erect. Texture and luster:             Smooth, glabrous; matte; longitudinally ridged. Color: Close             to 187A.         -   Pedicels.—Length: About 3 mm. Diameter: Less than 1 mm.             Strength: Strong, flexible; wiry. Aspect: About 45° from             peduncle axis. Texture and luster: Moderately to densely             pubescent; matte. Color: Close to N187A.         -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity per flower: Two.             Filament length: About 1.75 cm. Filament color: Distally,             close to NN155D and proximally, close to 72A. Anther size:             About 5 mm by 1.5 mm. Anther shape: Oblong. Anther color:             Close to 187A. Pollen amount: Moderate. Pollen color: Close             to 10C. Pistils: Quantity per flower: One. Pistil length:             About 3.4 cm. Stigma diameter: Less than 1 mm. Stigma shape:             Bipartite. Stigma color: Close to 71A. Style length: About             2.9 cm. Style color: Distally, close to 71A and proximally,             close to NN155D. Ovary color: Close to 154D.         -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit production has not             been observed on plants of the new Salvia plant. -   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Salvia have     not been noted to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to     Salvia plants. -   Garden performance: Plants of the new Salvia have exhibited good     garden performance and to be tolerant to rain, wind, low     temperatures about 2° C. and to be suitable for USDA Hardiness Zone     10a to 11b. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Salvia plant named ‘WNSVUPPK’ as illustrated and described. 